Top 5 Things to Look For at the US Open

The US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament, starts on Monday and ends on September 9^th. The top stars of tennis gather in New York. And after Wimbledon, who knows what will happen? I will admit Wimbledon shook me up and it took me a while to figure out what everyone should look for at the tournament.

1. Rafael Nadal

He is seeded #2 despite being 53-3 this season. He won his eighth French Open and dominated the majority of other tournaments he entered. He was defeated in the first round of Wimbledon, but since so many top stars did not make it past the second or third rounds it cannot be held against him. He missed last year’s US Open because of two bad knees. It will be very interesting to see how he performs, especially since he could meet Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.

2. Who will replace Roger Federer?

Full disclosure: I am a HUGE Roger Federer fan. I fell in love with him at the 2001 Wimbledon when he took down my previous favorite, Pete Sampras. But I am not blind, and I know Federer’s time is passing. Until he fully retires he will always be considered part of the Big 4–along with Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. But who will really be in the Big 4? David Ferrer, Juan Martin del Potro, or Tomas Berdych are seeded above him. The US Open could very well give us more insight who will be the one.

3. Yes, Andy Murray can repeat.

Murray could finally be showing the world he should really be considered one of the game’s current greats. He won his first Grand Slam at last year’s US Open against Djokovic and completely dominated him in the Wimbledon final. Could Murray repeat? If everything falls into place he will play Djokovic in the semifinals. So he would not play him in the Final, but he would have to beat him to get to the Final. Three defeats in a row are tough!

4. Serena Williams & Co.

I have to bring up Wimbledon again because, just like that tournament, it appears that Williams is the only choice to pick for the winner. I would hate to say that the women’s side is pretty much set because anything could happen. She won last year’s US Open and has a great opportunity to finally repeat at Flushing Meadows. She has an easier road since Maria Sharapova withdrew with a shoulder injury.

5. Mother Nature!

Rain was horrible last year. Hopefully it will not be as bad this year, but they are finally adding a roof to Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. They should be installed by 2018.